The children's masked parade in the heart of the Sentinum village
In the heart of the Marche hinterland, the Sassoferrato Carnival is one of those events that tell the soul of a village more than a thousand tourist brochures. It takes place in the Municipality of Sassoferrato, in the Province of Ancona, and transforms the central Piazza Bartolo into an explosion of confetti, masks, and laughter for an afternoon. It's not a carnival with large monumental floats, but a family-friendly community celebration, where children are the real stars.
The motto of the 2026 edition, "One square, two voices, over 300 smiles", well summarizes the spirit of the event: over three hundred masked children parading together, transforming the historic center into a whirlwind of fantasy and joy. The festival was born and grew thanks to the collaboration between the Pro Loco of Sassoferrato, the Municipality, and the two city parishes of San Facondino and San Pietro: a teamwork that involves volunteers, families, and local associations every year.
Everything begins in the early afternoon with the gathering of the masked groups at the sports facilities in via Rulliano. From there, the procession moves towards the center, where the parade enlivens Piazza Bartolo with music, entertainment, and shows. There are also food stalls, musical entertainment, and activities dedicated to the little ones, with entertainers, face painting, and many surprises. It's one of those festivals where everyone knows each other, where the fun is authentic, and entry is free for anyone who wants to participate.
Participating in the Sassoferrato Carnival also means discovering a village of great charm, nestled among the hills on the border between Marche and Umbria, rich in Roman history (ancient Sentinum) and medieval glimpses. The Carnival period is the perfect opportunity to visit the town on a festive day, immersing yourself in a family atmosphere that has become a consolidated tradition for the entire Umbrian-Marche Apennine area.
The 2026 edition of the Sassoferrato Carnival was held on Sunday, February 15, in Piazza Bartolo, with a backup date of February 22 in case of bad weather. The chosen motto, "One square, two voices, over 300 smiles", focused on the village children, the true protagonists of the masked parade.
The day enlivened the historic center with the parade of masked groups, musical entertainment, and food stalls, in a festive atmosphere shared by the entire Sentinate community.
During the afternoon: parade of masked groups with over 300 children, shows, food stalls, and musical entertainment by Mattia Zucca.
In case of bad weather, the event was postponed to Sunday, February 22, 2026.
A Sunday afternoon in February, during the Carnival period. In case of bad weather, the festival is postponed to the following Sunday.
Piazza Bartolo, in the historic center of Sassoferrato (AN). Gathering point for masked groups at the sports facilities in via Rulliano.
The event is free and open to all, with entertainment designed especially for children.
Event promoted by the Pro Loco of Sassoferrato together with the Municipality and the parishes of San Facondino and San Pietro.
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Piazza Bartolo
Piazza Bartolo, 60041 Sassoferrato